The Department of Energy and its Federal and contractor staff are responsible for some
of the Nation's most sensitive national security assets and programs. The Department
implemented the Human Reliability Program (Reliability Program) to ensure that
individuals who occupy positions affording access to certain nuclear materials, facilities,
and programs meet the highest standards of reliability and physical and mental suitability.
One aspect of the Reliability Program requires that employees who are part of the
program and who consume perception or behavior altering substances be restricted or
removed from performing sensitive duties until the effects of those substances have
abated.
